2023 Rugby World Cup: what are South Africa’s predictions?
by Yunchu Li | by Yunchu Li
2023 Rugby World Cup: what are South Africa’s predictions?
The 2023 World Cup presents a challenging pool stage for South Africa, as they are drawn in Pool B alongside Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, and Romania. Each opponent presents unique challenges that will test the Springboks' skills and depth. South African rugby boasts an abundance of depth in the squad, with versatile players who can play in multiple positions, and this flexibility is essential for any team aiming to win the World Cup. The Springboks' forward pack, known as the "Bomb Squad," is particularly strong and is renowned worldwide for its physicality and brute strength.
Can the Springboks become the all-time leading Rugby World Cup Champions?
South Africa's rugby history is intertwined with World Cup glory. They won the tournament on three occasions, and the iconic moment of Nelson Mandela presenting the trophy to Francois Pienaar after their triumph in 1995 remains etched in rugby folklore. In 2007, the Springboks were victorious in France, led by the talismanic John Smit, while the most recent success came in 2019, under the captaincy of Siya Kolisi, who led South Africa to a memorable victory in Japan.
Their achievements in World Cups have made them one of the most respected rugby nations globally. South Africa's power and physicality, combined with their unwavering defensive prowess, make them formidable opponents on the World Cup stage. South Africa's strengths lie in their forward pack and their structured and powerful playing style. The leadership trio of Rassie Erasmus, Jacques Nienaber, and Siya Kolisi have brought stability and success to the team, as seen in their victories in the 2019 Rugby Championship and the 2021 British and Irish Lions test series.
While their forwards remain a standout factor, the Springboks' defence cannot be overlooked, with their suffocating defensive patterns and aggressive tackling that have proven to be a formidable force for any opponent. The ability to disrupt and nullify the attacking threats of the opposition is a key feature of South Africa's game. However, South Africa faces challenges in their fly-half position as the injury concerns surrounding Handré Pollard have raised questions about the team's goal-kicking ability. Damian Willemse has shown promise, but the pressure of goal-kicking in high-stakes matches cannot be underestimated, and South Africa will need a reliable and confident goal-kicker to secure crucial points in tight matches.
Rugby World Cup 2023 - South Africa’s fixtures:
- Sunday, 10 September 2023 - vs Scotland – Stade de Marseille, Marseille
- Sunday, 17 September 2023 - vs Romania – Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
- Saturday, 23 September 2023 - vs Ireland – Stade de France, Saint-Denis
- Sunday, 1 October 2023 - vs Tonga – Stade de Marseille, Marseille
You can keep up to date with all the Rugby World Cup live scores & results at SportyTrader.
What Bets to make on South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup?
Pool B at the 2023 Rugby World Cup promises to be a highly competitive group featuring South Africa, Scotland, Romania, Ireland, and Tonga. The Springboks, as the defending champions, will be eager to assert their dominance and progress to the knock-out stages. Let's analyze each match in Pool B and assess South Africa's chances, along with predictions for each fixture.
World Rugby's top-ranked team, Ireland, despite their impressive form in recent years, have historically struggled in the World Cup. Nevertheless, they are still viewed as strong contenders with odds of 4/1 at 10Bet. The defending champions, South Africa, are also in the mix as one of the front-runners with the same odds as Ireland, 4/1 with Betway.
In the highly anticipated 2023 Rugby World Cup, the host nation, France, and perennial powerhouse New Zealand have emerged as the joint outright favourites. According to odds provided by Hollywoodbets, both teams are currently sitting at 3/1 to lift the coveted Webb Ellis Cup.
Eddie Jones' Australian side is currently facing some challenges, and their odds stand at 9/1, while England, who claimed their maiden World Cup victory in 2003, follows closely behind Australia with odds of 10/1 with Betway.
As for the other teams, Argentina, Wales, and Scotland are seen as outsiders with odds between 30/1 and 35/1 at Bet365. While these teams have talented players and a strong rugby tradition, they are considered less likely to claim the World Cup trophy.
Here are our Rugby World Cup 2023 predictions & betting tips for South Africa’s Pool B fixtures:
1. Sunday, 10 September 2023 - vs Scotland – Stade de Marseille, Marseille
South Africa's first match in Pool B will be against Scotland, a team known for their grit and determination. While the Springboks will be the favourites, Scotland's strong forward pack and tactical game plan could pose challenges. South Africa should secure a hard-fought victory against Scotland. The Springboks' physicality and experience should give them the edge, but Scotland won't make it easy.
Prediction: South Africa to win by 7 points.
2. Sunday, 17 September 2023 - vs Romania – Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Romania, while a developing rugby nation, will be the underdogs in this match against the formidable Springboks. South Africa's forward dominance and superior skill set should prove too much for the Romanian team. Expect the Springboks to put on a clinical display and win by 25 points.
Prediction: South Africa should secure a comfortable victory against Romania.
3. Saturday, 23 September 2023 - vs Ireland – Stade de France, Saint-Denis
This is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated matches in Pool B. Ireland, currently the number-one side in the world, will provide a stern test for the Springboks. Both teams have a rich rugby history and a fierce rivalry, making this clash even more compelling. The match against Ireland is likely to be a closely contested affair. The outcome could hinge on small margins, but South Africa's defensive prowess and physicality might give them the advantage.
Prediction: South Africa to win by a narrow margin of 3 points.
4. Sunday, 1 October 2023 - vs Tonga – Stade de Marseille, Marseille:
Tonga, known for their aggressive playing style, will be a challenging opponent for South Africa. While the Springboks are expected to win, Tonga's physicality and passion for the game could make it a fiercely contested match. South Africa should secure a bonus-point victory against Tonga.
Prediction: South Africa to win by 15 points.
SportyTrader’s Best Bet: South Africa to qualify for the knockout stages at odds of 2.2 at Bet365.
Did you Know?
- The South African rugby team have won the tournament three times, which is joint-highest with New Zealand. The Springboks claimed their first World Cup victory on home soil in 1995, led by the iconic captain Francois Pienaar. They triumphed again in 2007 in France and then secured their third title in 2019 in Japan.
- After being excluded from international rugby during the apartheid era due to the country's discriminatory policies, South Africa made a historic return in 1992. The Springboks' first Test series after readmission was against New Zealand, the team that had last played them before the ban. This symbolic series marked a significant milestone in South African history and also marked the beginning of their journey back into the global rugby community.
- The South African rugby team's emblem is a springbok antelope, a native species of South Africa and a symbol of the team's identity. The emblem holds great cultural significance and serves as a powerful representation of the nation's unity through rugby. The green and gold jersey, featuring the iconic Springbok logo, is one of the most recognized and revered sports uniforms in the world.
- In 2018, Siya Kolisi made history by becoming the first black player to captain the Springboks. Kolisi's appointment as captain was a significant milestone for South African rugby, symbolizing progress toward greater inclusivity and diversity in the sport. Under his leadership, the team achieved remarkable success, culminating in their 2019 World Cup triumph.
- The Springboks have received numerous accolades over the years, including being named the World Rugby Team of the Year on multiple occasions. In 2019, following their World Cup victory, the team was recognized for their outstanding performances and the positive impact they made on and off the field, and it was a true testament to the Springboks' consistent excellence in the sport of rugby.
